Discussion+Questions

=__**Helpful Tips for Running Dynamic Discussions**__=

Whether is be a casual, free-flowing exchange or a structured discussion, as a facilitator of a book club you must be able to draw your participants into the discussion. This page will help you come up with some great book discussion questions for your next Sci-Fi Book Club meeting. Here you will find tips on how to come up with general questions to help get your discussion started as well as links to specific questions or ideas for specific books.


 * What type of questions should you ask?**

If you are running a book club discussion, make sure and do your homework. Any successful book club involves being prepared and having all of your background material and questions ready in advance. According to //The Kids' Book Club Book// //¹,// by Judy Gelman and Vicki Levy Krupp, if you follow these simple steps you will be sure to have a successful club discussion:


 * **Even if members are asked to bring questions, make sure to have your own on hand**. Some book club facilitators ask their participants to come up with their own list of questions before meeting. If you choose to do this, make sure to have your own set of questions as well!
 * **Ask questions that are factual**. Ask simple questions about the plot of the story. //The Kids' Book Club Book// suggests talking about where and when the book takes place. You can also talk about events or aspects of the story that make the book "futuristic" or why it can be considered Science Fiction.
 * **Ask questions that are opinion-based**. Talk about favorite scenes, characters, or whether or not your group enjoyed the book. "Questions that solicit each kid's opinion involve members in the conversation right away" (Gelman 30). This is a great way to get each of your participants involved on a more personal level.
 * **Ask questions that relate to the participants**. Relating the book or plot to kids' own lives is a great idea to draw in your members. Compare the setting of the story to that of where your group lives. How does the situation in the book compare to something similar that might have happened at school or at home?
 * **Pose questions that help members identify key elements of the story**. Gelman and Krupp's book recommends asking club members to "play detective to uncover the author's hidden messages" (Gelman 21). Some elements you may want to consider including in this detective work are identifying the plot, characters, point of view, and conflict in your book.
 * **Ask participants if they can find similarities to or difference from other books they may have read**. A fairly simple concept, comparing one book with another is a great way to get kids engaged in the book club discussion.

=__**Sample Discussion Questions**__= The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
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Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
 * [[image:uglies.jpg]] ||

Hungry City Chronicles by Philip Reeve
 * [[image:hc.jpg]] ||

Rat Trap by Michael J. Daley
 * [[image:rat.jpg]] ||

__**Even More Examples**__

Good Questions and Discussion Topics from The Reading Club Generic Discussion Questions from LitLovers Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Alternate History Discussion Questions from BookBrowse

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¹Gelman, J. and V. L. Krupp (2007). __The Kids' Book Club Book: Reading Ideas, Recipes, Activities, and Smart Tips for Organizing Terrific Kids' Book Clubs__. New York, Penguin Group.